This is the kind of news that soothes the heart. According to our colleagues from Europe 1, the device announced last December by the government would have borne fruit, with 9 million male condoms distributed free of charge to young people under 25, compared to 500,000 in the same period last year. A big step forward: if until now you needed a prescription to get the precious sesame without paying a penny, it’s now a thing of the past. No need to go through the medical consultation box, which could be discouraging by its lack of anonymity, today all you have to do is ask at the pharmacy.
A preventive measure against STIs
In other good news, the number of participating pharmacies is on the rise: 16,000 of them handed out at least one pack of free condoms in January, up from 12,000 last year, a sign that access to free contraception is gaining momentum.
Pleasant figures, when we know that the number of sexually transmitted diseases is on the rise, especially among young French people. The latest HIV-STI public health bulletin of December 2022 reveals, for example, that between 2014 and 2021 the rate of screening for syphilis at least once a year increased by 53%, with a particularly marked increase among young people aged between 15 and 15 years. 25, where the rate doubled.
On the HIV side, the statistics remain stable, with 5,000 new cases in 2021. But we must not let our guard down. Public Health France is categorical: “Early screening of people and their partners, followed by prompt treatment, is essential to breaking chains of transmission “. And increased access to condoms, an essential link in the fight against sexually transmitted diseases.
Front page image credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
